$35,000 sought to examine plans for old East Haven High School

EAST HAVEN -- A subcommittee tasked with figuring out plans for the old high school on Tyler Street unanimously voted Monday to ask the Board of Finance and Town Council to fund a feasibility study.

The study would cost $35,000 and be done by Paul Pizzo of Landmark Architects Inc. The town might find the money in the capital funds budget.

Paul Carbo, chairman and clerk of the subcommittee, stressed that Pizzo is not an architect for the project but a consultant for the first steps in what he said will be a very public process.

The feasibility study will include looking at updates to comply with building codes; heating, ventilation and air conditioning work; asbestos abatement; electrical and plumbing needs; and other structural analysis. Carbo said the information will be needed regardless of the building's eventual use.

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"This is the best $35,000 we can possibly spend. It's going to give us a clear-cut perception of what the building can be used for ... and the exact cost, and the trickle down effects of that cost," committee member Robert Parente said.

The subcommittee, which includes Michael Riolino, was formed by Town Council Chairman Richard Anania.

Carbo said the public would have the opportunity to cast a nonbinding vote for use of the school once all costs are calculated.

He and Parente said they want to be able to tell taxpayers how much each option could cost now and years from now.

"At least we're giving them something they can really vote on ... at least we can get more of a temperature as to where the townspeople want to go," he said.

Carbo said they are going to approach the school district to see if it plans to use the school. He said there are "a ton" of options for the building, and the feasibility study will help to see them.

Board of Finance members Richard DePalma and Sal Maltese attended the meeting. They both asked how the school district could make a firm choice without fully knowing how much the project would cost.

Carbo said his committee just wants to know if the school district would like to explore options.

The school has been a source of controversy. Ideas for the building were put to a referendum in 2011, during the election when Mayor April Capone lost to Maturo, who previously served as mayor.

Maturo and his administration have said the referendum was nonbinding.

Capone's town attorney, Patricia Cofrancesco, has said it was binding.

In it, 33 percent of voters wanted the building used for an educational purpose; 38 percent wanted it used for a community purpose; and 29 percent wanted it used for senior housing.

Call Jennifer Swift at 203-789-5615. Follow her on Twitter @nhrswift.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the subcommittee, which includes Michael Riolino, was formed by Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. The subcommittee was formed by Town Council Chairman Richard Anania. The story has been updated.